Machine for gauging and assorting cartridges according to height of primers



R. M. FLANAGAN MACHINE FOR GAUGING AND ASSORTING CARTRIDGES oct. 19 194s. l

- 'ACCORDING To HEIGHT 0F PRIMERS Filed July 21. 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ROBERT/V. FLA/VAGA/V Oct. 19 1948. v R. M. FLANAGAN 2,451,615

MACHINE FOR GAUGING AND ASSOHTING CARTRIDGES ACCORDING-TO HEIGHT OF PRIMERS Filed July 21, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 l l I l w AINVEA/Tolz.

Raaf/QT M. FL ANAS/w BY l GENT Oct. 19 1948. R. M. FLANAGAN 2,451,615

MACHINE FOR GAUG'ING AND SSORTING CARTRIDGES ACCORDING TO HEIGHT 0F PRIMERS l Filed July 21, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 19 i948. R, M FLANAGAN 2,451,615

MACHINE FOR GAUGING AND AssoRTING CARTRIDGES v v ACCORDING To HEIGHT oF PRIMERS Filed July 2l, 1944 5`Sh66tS-Sheel'. 4

MlcRo. sw. cAuGlNs NORMALLY l A cLosso "H Ly nov. /58 /67 /68 INVENTOR.

B Hoef/WM. FLANAaA/v j@ (Il) BY L Wi m NOVRMALLY OPEN W13 253 AGENT Oct.. 19 1948. R M. FLANAGAN 2,451,615

MACHINE FOR GAGING AND ASSORTING CARTRIDGES ACGORDING TO HEIGHT OF PRIMERS Filed July 2l, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Egg (5i Y GENT Patented ct. 19, 1948 STAS MACHINE, FOR GUGNG AND ASSORTNG CARTRIDGES ACCORDING T HEIGHT OF PREMERS Robert M. Flanagan, Kansas City, Mo., assignor to Remington Arms Company, Inc., Bridgeport,

8 Claims.

The present invention relates in general t0 gauging, and, in particular, to a machine for automatically gauging ammunition components such as primer cups in the heads of cartridge cases, invention `are described in greater detail in the Inthe manufacture of most types of ammunifollowing specification with the aid ofl the action, it is desirable that the finished cartridgesv of compenying drawings. one caliber shall be substantially' uniform both Although the inverlticn described herein and in size and shape, and in the arrangement of ShOWn in the drawings iS an embOdiment especertain components relative to other components cially suited to gauging primers in Cartridge CaSeS. thereof. Uniformity in these respects not only it will be understood that the present invention guarantees cartridges having good ballistics, but iS -rlcil limited by the errlbcdiment4 Shown, and also cartridges which can be depended upon to that the inVerltiOrl may have Other uses than perform with characteristic uniformity under all those specifically described and may be mcdied conditions. There is, however, a further and l5 in construction and operation to accomplish other more important reason why ammunition of one uses all within the scope of the appended claims. caliber such as .30 caliber ball, .30 caliber tracer In the dreWingSI or .30 caliber armor piercing must be accurately Fig. 1 iS a Side eievatiOrl 0f the imDrOVed Primer dimensioned and assembled to within extremely height gauging machine of this invention. small tolerances; namely, that the loading, firing, Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan View of the maextraction and ejection mechanisms of automatichinev shown in Fig. ,1. cally operated firearms are substantially preci- Fig. 3 is an end elevation in the direction of sion-built elements and are capable of operation the arrows 3-3 of Fig. 2. continuously and without malfunctions onlywhen Fig; 4 is an end elevation in the direction of handling precision-built ammunition. the arrows 4 4 of Fig. 2.

One of the more common causes for malfunc- Fig. 5 is a section of the cartridge guiding tioning of automatic rearms has been the intrack onY line 5-5 of Fig, 2. accuracy with which the primer cups have been Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detail View positioned in the heads of the cartridges. Obcf the pressure block shown in Fig. 4 for forcing viously, a primer cup which has been seated too the ,head of a cartridge against the cartridge low in the head of the case and hereinafter guide track. termed a low primer, will not receive the full im- Fig. 7 is an enlarged elevation in section of the pact of the ring pin, and hence may cause hang solenoid frame on line 1-1 of Fig. 2. fires or misres. On the other hand, primers Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective View of a fragwhich have not been seated sufliciently in the 3;, mentary portion of the machine base showing a head, called high primers, may cause premamicro-switch carriage and the lower end of the tures or may even jam the feeding mechanism of gauging arm. l the iirearm. It has been ascertained that for Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the selector arm optimum performance, the primer should be adjusting means. substantially .004" below the head of the case Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentry View of the with permissible tolerances of plus or minus .004.

The present invention discloses an improved means for gauging primers in cartridge cases, an object of the invention being to gauge primers automatically without the intervention of manual operations. A further object is to provide gauging means which automatically separates the gauged cartridges according to the heights of the primers. A still further object is to automatically feed cartridges to a gauging device which gauges the primers and then delivers the gauged cartridges into separate groups. A still further object is to provide an electromechanical gauging machine adapted to automatically gauge high,

2 low and normal primers in the heads of the cartridge cases, `and to separate and deliver the gauged cartridges into separate groups.

Other objects, features and advantages of the head of the gauging arm showing the gauging linger.

Fig. 11 is an elevation in section on line lI-II of Fig. 2 of a fragmentary portion of the rear end of the gauging table.

Fig. 12 is a sectional plan View in the horizontal plane of line |2-I2 of Fig. 2 of a holding contact.

Fig.- 13 is a diagram of the electrical circuit.

Fig. 14 is a schematic view of a modied form of selector means and of solenoid control means.

Referring tothe drawings, the machine is seen to embody three distinct but cooperatively related subassemblies, namely the feeding mechanism, the gauging mechanism and the selector delivery mechanism, these several mechanisms being indicated by the letters F, G and S respectively in the drawings. For the purpose of clarity, each subassembly will be described in detail separately, the cooperative relationship of the several mechanisms being brought out in the description of the operation of the entire machine.

rIChe entire machine is supported on a base plate Eil whi-ch is a substantially flat, rectangular piece of metal such as cold rolled steel provided with rectangular notches in diagonally opposite corners which divides the base plate into an area m which is adapted to accommodate the feeding mechanism and power unit, the latter comprising a motor and reduction gear indicated generally at M; and the area s which is adapted to accommodate the gauging and selector delivery mech-n anism hereinafter described. In the embodiment shown, the motor M has a rating of 1725 R. P. M.

driving a pulley P of the reduction gear at subd stantially 70 R. P. M. The specic power unit shown has been found to operate the gauging machine at an optimum speed, which far exceeds the speed with which primers may be gauged manually, but it will be understood that a motor gear reduction unit M having other speed and power characteristics may be used.

Feed mechanisms The cartridges to be gauged are placed by ,1

hand in a feed hopper indicated generally at I5 which, as shown, comprises a substantially triangular, hollow receptacle constructed of a relatively thin metal front plate I6, a pair of metal side plates Il, and a rear or bottom plate I8, see 3, the plates being secured together along longitudinally intersecting edges by means of angle iron strips I9 fastened thereto. As shown, the rear or bottom plate I8 slopes upwardly at an angle of substantially and constitutes the bottom of the hopper. The width of the hopper is slightly greater than the width of a standard cartridge case while the height of the hopper is such that its volume is suiiicient to hold approximately two hundred cartridges. It will be understood, however, that the size of the hopper may be altered within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

The hopper is shown xedly supported on the base plate l by means of a pair of posts 2D of fiat metal stock bolted at their upper ends to the front edge of the hopper and at their lower ends to the base plate I0 by suitable bolts 2I.

The sloping bottom i8 is provided substantially midway of its length with a relatively large substantially rectangular opening 22, below which the lower portion 24 of the bottom plate I3 curves downwardly in a smooth are such that its lower end lies in the substantially vertical plane of the front face IS of the hopper. A relatively narrow transverse slot 25 is cut through the lower portion 24 of the bottom plate for the purpose hereinafter described. A longitudinally extending slot 26 is formed adjacent the upper edge of the plate 2li and, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a bracket member 2l having a pair of spaced parallel anges 2B projecting rearwardly at substantially right angles therefrom is fastened over the slot 2S with the space between the flanges opposite the slot 23. Each flange 23 is provided with a horizontal hole constituting a bearing for supporting one end of a pivot pin 3f! of a hopper agitator hereinafter described.

Secured to the bottom I8 of the hopper and eX- tending over the opening 22 thereof is a relatively thin, curved liner plate 32 comprising brass or other suitable metal, the upper edge of which is secured adjacent the upper edge of the hopper bottom opening 22. The lower edge of the brass liner 312 is left free as clearly indicated in Fig. 3, while the curvature of the liner 32 is such as to provide a space beneath its under surface and the hopper bottom I8 within which a hopper agitator may operate as hereinafter described. Supplejmenting the curved liner plate 32 is a curved breast plate 33 secured on the inside of the front plate I 6 of the hopper. It will be evident, as shown, that the lower end of the liner plate `32 and breast plate 33 are so disposed as to form a converging throat portion in the hopper for segregating the individual cartridges from the mass of cartridgesin the hopper and delivering individual cartridges successively in a single layer to the lower or discharge end I5 of the hopper.

Suitable means are also provided in the hopper bottom to compensate for the taper of the cartridges whereby the cartridges are enabled to move downwardly in substantially parallel relationship to the bottom of the hopper and comprise a relatively narrow strip 34 of brass or other suitable metal which is substantially wedge shaped in cross section. The wedge strip 34 is suitably fastened, as shown, to the hopper bottom E8 along one edge thereof, the thick edge of the strip lying along the outer edge of the hopper bottom I 3 corresponding to the left-hand side of the hopper as seen in Fig. 2.

To augment the movement, by gravity, of the cartridges down the hopper bottom, suitable means is provided comprising an oscillating agi tator indicated generally at 36 in Fig. 3. The agitator comprises a substantially rectangular plate 37 shaped so as to provide a curvilinear surface which has a fiber cover piece 33 secured thereon. The forward edge 39 of the plate 31 is milled down as shown in Fig. 3 or otherwise tapered on both its upper and lower surfaces so as to provide a relatively thin lip portion having a recess 38, the latter being adapted to form a seat on the upper side of the plate 31 for one end of a thin substantially rectangular plate 42 of sheet brass or other flexible metal which is secured thereto by screws or other suitable means 59 as to lie substantially flush with the upper surface of the curvilinear plate 3l. The opposite or lower end of the flexible plate d2 has bevelled corners and is adapted to slip through and to oscillate in the narrow transverse slot 25 in the lower portion 24 of the bottom plate I8. Formed on the underside of the agitator plate 37 nearer the righthand edge than the left-hand edge thereof, see Fig. 4, and substantially intermediate its upper and lower ends is a rearwardly extending lever 43 having a pair of holes at its eXtreme lower end 44, and a hub portion t5 intermediate its upper and lower ends. The hub 45 is provided with a suitable hole to receive the pivot pin 3S which is supported in the flanges 28 of the bracket 2l. By oscillating the lower end of the lever arm 43, the agitator 33 will be oscillated back and forth beneath the flexible liner plate 32. If the throw of the agitator is large, the aperture 22 provides clearance therefor. As shown, the lower edge of the liner plate 32 is adapted to ride on the upper end portion of the curved ber surface 38 of the agitator plate and to this end may be tapered so as to preserve the continuity of the adjoining surfaces. supplementing the upper curved liner plate 32 but spaced therefrom is a flexible sheet metal liner plate 46 which, as shown, is fastened with ,suitable bolts @l to the lower edge 24 of the bottom plate i8 on the inner face thereof. The upper free end of the flexible plate i6 curves upwardly so as to overlie the lower edge of the agitator surface 3S for all positions thereof. Thus, cartridges moving down over the upper curvilinear plate 32 are momentarily engaged frictionally by the curved, ber surface 38 of the agitator 3S which, as shown, spans the space between the upper and lower liner plates 3Q and 46 respectively, thereby urging the cartridges down into the constricting throat portion of the hopper to its discharge aperture l5.

Suitably secured in a horizontal plane beneath the discharge opening E5' is a cartridge feeding and supporting member d8 comprising a substantially rectangular metal plate having a rectangular closed slot 39 along its longitudinal axis. The plate d8 is suitably supported along its left-handelde, see Fig. 4, on a rib 5i which is fastened to the bottom edge of a cartridge feed track B2 hereinafter described, which in turn is suitably fixed to the vertical legs 2Q of the hopper. The opposite edge of the plate i8 is supported by one leg of a right angle bracket 5% which is secured to a hopper supporting post 2i! on the right-hand side of the hopper l5.

Slidable on the upper surface of the supporting plate d8 is a cartridge feeder which comprises a substantially rectangular solid metal block 52, the forward edge of which is formed with a longitudinally extending arcuate groove E2 of suitable radius to partially embrace a cartridge case. Fastened to the underside of the feed block 52 is a depending lug 53 which is adapted to extend through the slot t9 of the supporting plate 68. A hole is made horizontally through the\lower end of the lug 53 whereby fastening means such as a pin or threaded bolt dmay be used to connect the lug to suitable reciprocating means hereinafter described. The bolt 5d also serves to connect the lug 53 to the forward end of a link 55; the latter is pivotally connected at its opposite end by a pin and spacer bushing 56 to the lower end of a pair of links lili' which are fastened to the lower end lill of the agitator arm Q3.

A guide is provided on the Lipper surface of the supporting plate 48 for guiding the feed block 52 during its reciprocating movement and to hold the feed block 52 down on the plate d3. As shown in Fig. 6, the guide comprises a block 5l' which is fastened on the upper surface of the plate 48 and provided with a right angle Iiange 57 which is adapted to overlie the right-hand edge of the feed block 52.

The opposite edge of the feed block is adapted to slidingly engage the inner wall of a rearwardly extended portion of the cartridge feeding track 62 hereinafter described.

It will be clear that by reciprocating the lug 5S of the feed block 52, the latter will be moved back and forth on the supporting plate 48. In its foremost position, the upper surface of the feed block 52 covers the discharge port l5 of the hopper, thereby prohibiting the discharge of a cartridge onto the surface of the supporting plate fie. However, when the feed block is moved to its rearmost position as shown in Fig. 3, it uncovers the discharge port I5 enabling a single cartridge to drop onto the supporting plate 38. When the feed block is again advanced, the cartridge on the plate 68 is engaged by the arcuate leading edge52 of the feed block and pushed thereby into the feed track 62. Simultaneously, the agitator 36 is oscillated so as to urge the the track.

plate Q8 adjacent the forward edge thereof. VThe pressure plate 58 is resiliently held in operative position by means of a U-shaped spring 66, the open ends of which are suitably secured to the underside of supporting plate` 48. The opposite end of the spring is ben-t upwardly to engage the back of the pressure block so as to hold the latter in a semi-upright position. Thus, as the cartridges are advanced-by the feed lblock 52 into the feed track 62, the noses of the cartridge bullets ride upon the inclined surface of the pressure block 53 which cams each cartridge transversely, slightly, to the direction in which it is being fed, thereby holding the head of the cartridge squarely Y against the substantially vertical wall of the feed track S2. Concurrent forward movement of a cartridge by the feed block 52 will readily engage the flange of the cartridge head beneath vsuitable lips of the feed track described below.

Thelatter is indicated generally at 62 and comprises a relatively thin but stiif strip of metal-63 provided on each edge with suitably spacedparallel guides 64, which, as shown in Fig. 5, are provided on their inner edges with overhanging lips or flanges E5. The flanges are suitably profiled so as to engage in the extraction groove inthe head of a cartridge case to hold the case rmly in the feed track, the flange of the head being slidably engaged beneath the overhanging lips 65' of Resilient means are provided for securing the guides 64 to the feed track 63 to enable the guides to be displaced upwardly slightly in the event a burr or other foreign matter is clinging on the head of the case and thus prevent a jam and serious breakage of the parts. The resilient securing means shown comprise machine screws 56,

the Shanks 6'! of which are adapted to pass freely through suitable holes 83 in the guides Sli and to be threadedly engaged in the feed track 63. A coil spring 69 is carried on each screw shank between the head thereof and the upper surface of the guides 64 to hold the guide firmly but resiliently on the feed track 63. v

From the drawings, it will be clear that the cartridges are delivered from the feed hopper in a substantially horizontal position and are adaptable tokbe moved from this position to va substantially vertical position in which the cartridges are fed to the gauge mechanism G. To this end, the feed track is'provided in its .length with a substantially twist. Moreover, a thin flexible orientating finger 10 is shown fastened at r its lower end to the forward edge of the supporting plate 48 adjacent the pressure block 58, the opposite end of the finger being curved upwardly so as to support the bullets. of the cartridges and thereby to augment the orientation thereof from their horizontal to their vertical position.

Gauging mechanism The cartridges are fed from the feed track 62 in a substantially vertical position to the primer gauging mechanism, 'indicated generally at G.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, the gauging mechanism is supported on a table 8] which in turn is mounted on the base plate IE! by four vertical posts 82, one post being secured by suitable screws at each of the four corners of the tatle 33. Substantially vertical side plates 83, see Fig. 8, and end plates 813, Fig. 3, are mounted beneath the outer edges of the table 80 and to the posts 82 to enclose the space beneath the table.

The table top 8|) is substantially rectangular and provided at one end with a gauge finger slot 85, see Fig. 1, which is substantially three-eighths of an inch in width and extends inwardly on the longitudinal axis of the table substantially three inches. Adjacent the inner or closed end of the slot are three holes having discharge tubes hereinafter identified by the letters H, L and N and arranged in triangular relationship, said tubes being of suitable diameter to freely pass a cartridge case. Two of the tubes, namely H and L, are located on opposite sides respectively of the gauge slot 85, the third tube N being on the longitudinal axis thereof but slightly in advance of the two tubes H and L.

Mounted on the table Sil over the gauge slot 85 is a substantially rectangular U-shaped frame member 86 having upstanding legs 89 and Qi and a base portion 3l' which is provided with a substantially rectangular groove on its underside in longitudinal alignment with the gauge slot 85 of the table. SuitableA fastening means are provided for securing the base 8'! of the member Si@ to the top of the table 89. The leg 8S, see Fig. 1, is formed with a forwardly extending shelf 92 which is provided at its foremost edge with a horizontal hole 93 which is adapted to support the jewel bearings of a gauge finger hereinafter described.

As indicated in Fig. 1, a relatively narrow horizontal slot Sil is cut through the forward edge of the shelf 92 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gauge slot 85 of the table Si). Moreover, the slot 9d is extended rearwardly in the form of a groove 95 of correspond-ing width in the upper surface of the leg S9, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fastened on the shelf portion 92 of the frame on lopposite sides of the slot 9d are a pair of posts 9'? provided with screw threads on their upper ends for the purpose hereinafter described. Sweated or otherwise secured in aperture-s in the lower portion of the leg 9i) and `on opposite sides of the frame member 85 are a pair of latenally extending trunnions Q8 as shown in Fig. 3.

It will be noted that the leg Si] is slightly shorter than the leg S9, this variation in height being substantially equal to the thickness of the bottorn plate $3 of the feed track 62, the end of which lies in `a substantially horizontal plane and is `adapted to extend across the width of the U- shaped frame 88 at right angles thereto, the right-hand edge of the plate S2, see Fig. 1, being suitably secured to the top of the leg Sil. The top surface of the feed track is thus brought substantially flush with the top of the grooved leg 89 and its sl-otted shelf portion 92 and yforms a substantially smooth surface hereinafter referred lto as the gauging table 63.

Cartridges being delivered to the gauging mech- -anism G from the hopper I by the feed track 62 are adapted to make a substantially right angle turn on the gauging table 63 and to this end suitable guide means `are provided comprising a guide block mi] which spans the two legs 39 and 90 and is provided with a hole at its forward end adapted lto slide over the upstanding post 9i. The

inner edge of the guide lblock |00 is bevelled, as shown in Figs. 3 and 11, and formed with an overhanging flange or lip |G| suitably profiled to engage in the extraction groove of a cartridge case. Opposite the guide |30 and arranged in substantially parallel spaced relationship thereto is a second guide block |il2 which is similarly bevelled on its inner edge and provided with an overhanging flange 63. Moreover, the block |02 is shorter than the block |0|, its rear end being bevelled and provided with an overhanging flange or lip m3' which is substantially at right angles to lthe flange m3 of its longitudinal inner edge. |lhis overhanging flange |03 is adapted to be positioned substantially in alignment with the overhanging flange or lip 65 ofthe adjacent guide 64 of the feed track 62 and forms a continuation thereof. An extension 6d of one of the feed track guides 6d is located opposite the guide flange |03 to complete the cartridge feeding guide track on the rear end of the gauging table G3.

Arranged above the guide blocks |68 and |02 and at the rear edge of the gauging table 63 is a substantially `L-shaped cam block |64, the long arm of which extends in the direction of the feed track @2, the shor-t arm extending at substantially right angles thereto. The inner edges of the arms of the cam block |05 lie slightly inside of the flange 55 of the guide extension 64" an-d the flange mi of the guide block mil respectively for the purpose hereinafter described. The cam block sd is supported by means of a pair of posts l'l and |58, see Fig. 11, the lower ends of which extend freely through vertical holes in the guide block |89 and the track extension guide Sli and are screw threaded in the upper end of the leg 8d. Suitable cylindrical sleeves ill and |08' respectively are carried on ythe Shanks of the posts, the lower ends of each sleeve being adapted t0 pass freely through the bored holes of the guide block |09 and guide block 6d and seat on the top of the feed track bottom plate G3. Each post carries a coil spring |09 and H0 respectively mounted betwen the undersurface of the cam block iii@ and the upper surfaces of the guide block |69 and guide extension S4 respectively; and nuts at the upper end thereof.

In accordance with this construction, the cam block IEM may be xedly secured in vertically spaced parallel relationship to -the gauging table 63 whereas the guide blocks lili) and `guide 64 are resiliently held in position thereon. Similar resilient fastening means are provided Iby the posts Si for the forward end of both the guide block #Gil and the guide block |62.

From the foregoing description, it will be evident that as the cartridges are fed fro-m the feed `track 62 onto the gauging table 63', the ange of a cartridge head is rst engaged by the overhanging flanges or lips l and E5 of the guide block |52 and guide extension 64 respectively, While the upper body portion of the case is moved into engagement with the inner edge of the long arm of the cam block i813. As the cartridge ycontinues to advance, the right angle of the cam block turns the -car-tridge into a path at substantially right angles to the direction in which it is being fed from the hopper. During its movement in this new direction, its ange is engaged by the lips IGI and |83 of the guide block l and H32 respectively. The movement of the cartridges in this new direction is accomplished by means of an automatic pusher or auxiliary feeder hereinafter described.

Referring Ito Figs. 1 and 2, the fixed posts 91 9 at the forward en-d of the gauging table 63' also constitute supports for a cartridgedeflector hood which, as shown, comprises asemicylindrical tubular member I I I having a pair `of vertical members IIE providedy with a substantially rectangular web portion l l2 spanning the upper end of the head; and flanged members H3 extending laterally from the sides o-f the tubular member, each member being provided With a right angle flange I I 3. The latter are drilled vertically so as to it loosely over the threaded ends of the posts S'I and are adapted to be secured thereon by suitable nuts threaded on the ends of the post. The transverse web portion II 2 of the deector hood is adapted to be positioned so as to extend slightly below the tip of the nose of a cartridge which is supported on the gauging table 53 and is provi with a notch E I4 in which the nose of the cartrdge is to engage. Thus, as `a cartridge is being pushed forward over the gauging table by succeeding cartridges, its nose is momentarily held back by engagement in the notch i le while its head is pushed forwardly. The cartridge will thereupon be deflected backwardly and subsequently slide head v end rst off ofthe end of the gauging table 53.

The automatic pusher or auxiliary feed means for feeding the cartridges across the gauging table 63 over a primer gauging finger hereinafter described and off of the end of the table com- 5 prises a substantially rectangular cross head I|5 fastened at its opposite ends by suitable fastening means to the edges of a pair of sector-shaped members IIB which, as shown, extend at substantially right angles to the plane of the cross head, each sector being provided with a horizontal hole at its apex of suitable diameter to make a nice rotating fit on one ofthe trunnions 98 A substantially rectangular block II'I is fastened by screws or other means to the back of the cross head ||5 substantially intermediate the ends thereof and` is provided on its longitudinal axis with a drilledhole or sleeve IIB. The latter is adapted to receive a pusher member which comprises a pin I I 9 having a head |20 at one end and a slightly bevelled face |2| t it" enroute and. pusher nin.. H3 is held in adjusted position in the sleeve I I8 of the cross head by means of a resiliently mounted pin |22 and socket screw |22', the latter being threadedly secured in a tapped hole inthe upper edge of the block I I'I. The lower rear corner of the block II'I is cut out to provide clearance for a pitman adjuster |23 which comprises a threaded shank having a flat apertured head adapted to be pivv otally secured by meansl of. a pin |24 between spaced parallel lips |25 formed on the underside of the block The shank of the pitman ad juster |23 is threadedly secured in one end of a pitman |26 which is provided at its opposite end with a horizontally drilled and reamed hole I 2l for connecting the pitman |26 to suitable reciprocating means hereinafter described.

It will be clear. that byreciprocating the pitman |25; the cross head ||5 will be oscillated to and from the gauging table 63', thereby advancing andretracting the pusher pin or pusher IIS to and from engagement with cartridges standing on the gauging table 63. In accordance with the adjustability of the various parts of the pusher or auxiliary feed mechanism, each time the pusher pin II 9 moves forwardly the cartridge nearest the forward end of the gauging table 63 will be moved into gauging position wherein its primer is properly located on top of a primer 'f gauging finger-supported in -thegtable-as hereinafter described.

*man |26.

The reciprocating i means A,for actuating'the pitman -comprises a crank pin |28V eccentrically mounted on a rotatable disk'I29 -andffadapted v shaft |30 which ismounted intermediate `-its ends vin a pair of spaced roller bearing blocks |3|l and |32 which are. carried on ashelf |33. ."Thelatter is substantially Arectangular buthas a forwardly extending arm, adapted,.as shown, to extend along the edge `of ythe table top 8|lv opposite the hopper and tobesecuredv to the table*` by bolts so as to support -the shelf thereon; Vvthe opposite end ofwhichoverhangsfthe yend of the table. A4

bracket |34 fastened at its upperend to the'underside of the overhanging end of the shelf :extends downwardly diagonally from the end of the shelf and is secured at its lower end to the adjacent end plate 84 of the table. The bearing blocks I 3| and |32v are suitably secured to the shelf adjacent the outer end thereof.

Keyed to the rotatable shaft |30 between the roller bearing blocks 3| and |32 is a cam disk |35 which is securedagainst endwise movement on the shaft by a collar |36. A suitable recess |38 is shown, see- Fig. 3, in the top of the shelf |33 beneath the cam disk |35 to provide'clearance therefor. The opposite overhanging end of the shaft |30 is provided with a pulley |39 which is keyed to the shaft, vthe pulley being driven by a belt |40 connected to-thev motor pulley P.

The function of the cam disk |35 is to transmit the rotational motion of the shaft I3!!y to a reciprocating motion foractuating the feed block 52 and hopper agitatingmechanism described above. To this end, a'shaft |42 is'supported at substantially right angles to the shaft I 30 in a U-shaped bracket comprising parallel spaced bearing blocks |43 and |44, the bracket being xedly mounted onV the inside edge of the shelf I 33, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. A single sleeve member |45 is shown mounted on the shaft |42 Ybetween thegtwo bearing blocks. The shaft |42 .I 48 is adapted to beheld in operative engagement with the rotating cam disk Y|35 and to this end the opposite .end of the shaft |42 is encircled by v a coiled torque spring |49, see Fig. 2, one end of which is fastenedv tothe adjacent bearing block I 44; the opposite end-of the spring has a short substantially straightportion adapted to clip over one edgeof a crank arm |50 which is keyed or otherwise secured to the forward end ofthe shaft |42, Pivotally secured to Athe outer end of the crank arm |50 is one end of a pitman |52 having a longitudinally screw threaded borev in its opposite end in which is threadedly secured one end of a connecting rod |53. The oppositeend of the connecting rod is threadedly secured in a seoond pitman |54 which is pivotally secured by the aforementioned pin 54 to the lower end of the depending lug 53 ofthe reciprocating feed block 52Y described above.

Thus, whenthe motor 4M is energized and the pulley P rotates, it drives the shaft |30 by means of the belt |40 and pulley |35. As the shaft |30 rotates, the cam disk rotates causing the cam follower |48`to rock up and down thereby oscillating the shaft |42 and arm |50 and transmitting reciprocating motion to the feed block 52 and oscillating motion to the agitator 36. Cartridges in the hopper are thereby discharged onto the plate 48 and are fed successively along the feed track 62 to the top of the gauging table 63. Simultaneously the rotating disk |29 actuates the eccentric crank pin |29 so as to transmit oscillatory motion to the pivoted cross head ||5 and to the pusher pin ||9 carried thereon. The oscillatory motion of the pusher pin ||9 thereupon advances successive cartridgesV intermittently along the gauging table 63.', the primer of the cartridge being slidable over the groove 95 and slot 94 thereof to a predetermined position thereon at which its primer is adapted to be gauged by the hereinafter described gauging finger.

As seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, each sector |16 of the cross head has a bracket member |55 bolted on its outer face adjacent the lower end thereof, each bracket having a transversely extending foot portion |56. Each foot is provided with a tapped hole in which an adjustable switch operating stud |51 is threadedly secured, the lower end of the stud being adapted to extend through its respective foot |56. Fastened to the underside of the table top 80 immediately beneath each respective switch operating stud |51 is a microswitch |58 and |58 respectively, see Figs. 1 and 3, of well known construction, each having an actuating pin |59 and |59 which extends upwardly through an aperture in the table top 80 and is adapted to be engaged and actuated by its respective switch operating stud |51.

In the embodiment shown, the micro-switch |58 hereinafter termed the gauging switch is set so that it is normally closed and is momentarily opened only when its pin |59 is engaged and pressed down by the adjustable stud |51. The micro-switch |58' on the opposite side of the table and hereinafter identified as the holding switch is set so that it is normally open but is momentarily closed when its pin |59' is engaged and pressed down by its respective stud |51. It will be evident that by adjusting the studs |51, one stud may be made to engage and actuate its respective switch prior to the actuation of the other and thus as the sectors ||6 oscillate, the micro-switches may be actuated either simultaneously or with a predetermined time delay sequence forV the purpose hereinafter described.

The primer gauging means per se is shown in Fig. l and in detail in Fig. 10 and comprises a composite arm consisting of a relative short post |60 provided at its upper end with a socket |62 and at its lower end with a pair of L-shaped face plates |63, the latter being fastened securely to opposite sides of the post |60 and provided with horizontal holes in their laterally extending ends. Pivotally supported between the laterally extending ends of the face plates |63 by a transverse pin |65 is a relatively long arm |66 provided with suitable contact points |61 and |68 at its lower end and on opposite sides thereof as shown in Figs. 1 and 8. The pivot point of the arm |66 is substantially one-third the way down from the top thereof, the top of the arm being provided with a knee portion |69 adapted to engage the adjacent side of the post |60. A suitable leaf spring |10 is shown fastened at its upper end to the postV |60, the lower end of the spring being adapted to engage and 12 exert a resilient force against the arm |66 at a point thereon below its pivot `point so that the knee |69 of the arm |66 will be resiliently held against the upper end of the post |60. A coil spring |12 is shown secured at one end to a bracket |13 which is fastened to the post |66. As shown in Fig. 1, the coil spring |12 extends rearwardly through suitable apertures in the legs S9 and 96 of the U-shaped frame 86, and is fastened to the leg 96 by means of a plug member |15 which is seated in a counterbored hole in the outer face of the leg 90 and provided with an apertured tongue in which the end of the coil spring may be hooked. By pivotally mounting the arm |66 to the post |66 in this manner, the

arm is enabled to break relative to the post in the event the pivotal movement of the latter becomes excessive and thus prevent injury to the micro-switches which are adapted to be actuated as hereinafter described by the contacts |61 and |68 at the lower end of the arm |66.

Secured in the socket |62 of the post |60 by means of a stud shaft |62 is a separable gauging finger or head |16 which comprises a piece of flat metal stock having a carboloy insert |11 suitably secured in its upper edge. The insert is substantially one-half the width of the nger |16 and extends above the upper edge thereof forming a relatively thin rib which comprises an upwardly inclined ramp |18 adjacent that end thereof which is first engaged by the cartridges being fed thereto by the pusher pin H9. The actual gauging surface of the rib |11 comprises that substantially flat portion |19 at the top of the ramp, the length of which is substantially less than the diameter of the primer cap aperture in the head of a cartridge case so as to enable the gauging surface |19 to contact the primer cap in the head of the cartridge case. A substantially horizontal hole is formed in the rear part of the gauging head and constitutes a bearing for a shaft |83 hereinafter termed the pivot point of the gauging head and which cxtends therethrough, opposite ends of the shaft |63 being rounded and polished and adapted to be engaged by suitable jewel bearings |84 mounted in the horizontally drilled holes 93 in the shelf portion 92 of the frame member B6. In its assembled position, the gauging head |16 is located in the gauge slot 94 of the shelf 92 and is movable freely therein on its bearings |84, its swinging motion being in a substantially Vertical plane coincident with the longitudinal axis of the gauging table 63. The lower extremities of the gauge head, namely the post |60 and arm |66, thus swing Vabout the pivot point |83 of the gauging head. Due to the relatively short distance between the gauging surface |19 on the gauging head and the pivot |83 as compared to the relatively long distancebetween the contact lpoints |61 and |68 at the lower end of the arm |66 and the pivot point |33, it will be palpable that even a scarcely discernable movement of the gauging surface |16 will be multiplied many times so as to transmit relatively large movement to the contacts |61 and |68.

As shown, the post |60 and hence the arm |66 are spring biased or held `in an abnormal position by means of the coil retaining spring |12. In the present embodiment, this abnormal position of the arm |56 corresponds to that position into which the arm |66 must be moved to enable the gauging linger to engage a low primer. In short, the gauging head. will not be moved from its abnormal Or initial biased position by a low `V-11? primer, but will be displaced from this position both by a primer of normal height or a high primer.

Referring to Fig. l of the drawings, it will be seen that the contact E68 of the arm H56 is normally displaced to the right or in fits operative position for gauging a low primer whereas when gauging a normal primer or a high primer, the arm 556 will swing to a central or neutral position or to the left respectively, and, in the latter event, the contact I6? is swung into operative engagement with its respective micro-switch.

Selector and discharge mechanism The respective positions taken by the contacts I6? and iEii of the arm 56 are used tooperate suitable electromechanical mechanism for delivcriner a gauged cartridge into its proper discharge tube H, L or N.

The electromechanical mechanism is shown in Figs. l, 2 and '7 and embodies, in general, a solenoid controlled pivotally mounted T-shaped selector -arm i9@ having three suitably disposed holes in its transverse portionr IES, each hole having a short length of flexible tube L', N and H depending therefrom adapted to deliver a cartridge therein into one of the corresponding discharge tubes L, N or H of the table top Bil. To this end, each tube of the selector arm IS@ is adapted to be swung by the arm beneath the cartridge deflecting hood Iii of the gauging table E3 so as to receive the cartridge therefrom and deliver it vinto the proper-discharge tube in the table 8G.

The selector arm 23 is formed at its rear end with an enlargement I95 which is slotted longitudinally as at I 9e. The enlarged end of the selector arm is secured by means of suitable screws to the top of a carrier member 97, Fig. l, which in turn has a, Vslot corresponding to the slot i in the selector arm i353; and a substantially Ysquare hole lei! in the center thereof.

Suitable means for pivotally supporting the assembled selector arm ist and its carrier i9? comprises a frame member E99 which is bolted to the top of the table 853 and has a pair of rearwardly extending Vvertically spaced horizontally disposed ears 2cd, each ear being drilled vertically to provide a bearing 2Q! for a shaft 202. The latter rotatably supportedin the bearings and is provided with a spacer collar23 which is suitably fastened to the upper end ci the shaft, and adapted to seat on the top surface of the upper ear The upper end of the shaft is square in cross section and adapted to nt tightly in the square hole ISQ of the selector arm carrier i9?.

lThe selector arm is pivoted selectively from any one of its three possible positions corresponding to the height of the primer being gauged by means of a pair of solenoids and a single armature. The solenoids are of the usual construction comprising U-shaped laminated core members 235 and il'! respectively, and similarly formed armatures 2% and 239.

In the present embodiment, the two armatures and ESQ have been secured together so as to form a single core unit. For this purpose, suitable connectors are provided which comprise a pair of substantially nat rectangular brass plates sie, see Fig. 7. having square shoulders Zii in their lov-.1er edges at opposite ends thereof and View of vertical longitudinally spaced slots i2 in their upper edges. Each slot is adapted to receive a laterally extending tongue ESB and 202iY respectively of the armature core unit zml-299. Each connector plate is alsoprov-ided at it: ends'vfith a hole in which is fixed the shank of a pin tit,

i ingguide plates 2M.

the head of which is spaced laterally from the side of the connector plate. Mounted with a loose nt on the shank portion of each pin between the side of the connector plate and thehead of the pin is a suitable spacer disk or washer 2 I 3 having a hub portion 2I3, see Fig. '7, substantially equal in diameter to the diarnter of the head oi the pin and adapted to make a sliding t in slots of a suitable guide plate.

To enable the composite armature to move as a unit with respect to the Xed solenoid core members Eili and Zilli, a pair of guide plates 214 are provided for slidingly supporting each armature connecting plate 2I. Each guide plate is substantially rectangular and provided with a pair of closed slots ZIE arranged horizontally adjacent its upper edge and suitably spaced at opposite ends ofthe plate. The height of the slots 2 i 5 corresponds substantially to the diameter oi" the hub portion Zitti of the washers ZIS of the connector plates 2li), whereby these hubs are enabled to engage in the closed slots 255 and thus slidably support each connecting plate in the guide plates 2id. The latter are secured in substantially xed spaced parallel relationship on the table 8@ by a pair of end plates 2I5, the opposite ends of each plate 'le being bent at substantially right angles to provide anges 2H to which the ends of the guide plates 2i? are bolted. The anges 2H are also provided with inwardly extending stops Eig which, as shown in Fig. '.7, are adapted to lie in the path of the advancing shoulders 2H of the connector plates to limit the'extent of their sliding movement in the slots 2I5 `of the correspond- To fasten the assembled guide plates and end plates ZI@ to the top of the table.r suitable right angle brackets Eig are provided which are adapted to be bolted on the inner kwalls of theend plates 2I6, the foot portion ci the brackets being bolted to the table top '88. An

I additional right angle bracket 2253 is fastened to v eachend plate 2 I Band provides supporting means "for the respective solenoid cores 2% and 2M respectively.

It will be clear that both solenoids 295 and 2li? are xedly mounted within the assembled side and'end plates and that the armature core unit 23S-299 is slidable therein either toward the sole- --noid 2&6 or toward the solenoid 2637 depending "inafter termed the armature, at substantially the center thereof.

As shown, the armature and selector are resiliently held in a central or neutral position by mea-haof a U-shaped wire spring 22H), Fig. 1, which is fastened at its lower end to the table 80. The upper ends the spring crossed over and 'engage on opposite sides of the flexible strip Z'i` thus resiliently holding itin its central or neutral position.

Suitable means comprising a stop pin see Fig. 9, is provided for adjusting the position of the armature with respect to theV so-lenoids 2e@ and 257 so that the center tube N of the selector arm |90 may be positioned directly beneath the deflector hood when the selector arm is in its neutral or central position as hereinafter described.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 9, the stop pin 223 is shown Xed to and depending from the underside of the armature at substantially the center thereof. The lower end of the pin is adapted to engage in a slot 222 formed between the parallel mutually engaging rearwardly extending reaches 224 of a pair of L-shaped fingers 225 which are pivotally secured to the top of the table 85 beneath the armature by pins 2242 in the rear ends of the reaches 22d. A suitable tension spring 225 is suitably connected at its opposite ends between the forward spaced parallel ends 225 of the L-shaped fingers 225 and constrains the forward ends thereof to resiliently hold the separable reaches 222 together, Rotatably mounted in a vertical hole 32 of the table top 85 in axial alignment with the slot 224 of the reaches 222 is a stud shaft 221 having a disk 228 on its upper end, the disk being mounted in a counterbored hole 235 in the top of the table. Mounted eccentrically on top of the disk 228 is a substantially vertically upstanding pin 229 which is adapted to extend up through the slot 224 of the reaches 221i and to engage the opposite sides thereof. By rotatably adjusting the shaft 221, its disk 223 will be rotated thereby rotating the eccentric pin 229 which changes the position of the slot 224 of the contacting reaches 225 either to the right or left. As a result, the stop pin 223, which is engaged in the slot 222', will be displaced and cause the armature to be displaced a lcorresponding amount in the supporting guide members described above. The eccentric pin thus provides means for centering the slidable armature so as to adjust the selector arm |95 with relation to the discharge tubes.

The frame member |59 of the selector arm also carries two contact points 232 and 233 hereinafter termed holding contacts, these contacts being on opposite sides of the frame and adapted to engage opposite sides of the swinging selector arm |90. As shown in Fig. 12, the contact 232 comprises a cylindrical post 234 having a shank portion 235 provided with a shoulder 236. The post is adapted to have limited sliding movement in a cylindrical sleeve 231 which is mounted in a substantially horizontal plane by a bracket member 233 fastened to the frame member |99. Suitable washers 239 are shown for insulating the post from its sleeve.

A nut 231 threaded on the external threads of the sleeve 231 is adapted to fasten the sleeve rigidly in the bracket 238 of the frame member. The bore of the sleeve 231 is provided with an annular shoulder 2132 which is normally spaced from the shoulder 235 of the post 234. A coil spring 24|, carried on the shank portion 235 of the post 234 between the shoulder 236 thereof and the shoulder 24D of the sleeve resiliently holds the holding contact post 236 in the forward end of its sleeve, the post being enabled to slide rearwardly therein when the selector arm swings into engagement with the end thereof.

lThe shank portion 235 of the contact post 234 is screw threaded, as shown, and provided with a pair of nuts 222 for adjusting the normal position of the post within its sleeve 231 and for preventing the post from springing out of its sleeve due to the force of the compressed spring 25|. Since both holding contacts are identical, the above description of the holding contact post 232 16 will suliice for the second contact post of holding contact 233,

Suitable means are provided for selectively energizing the solenoids 206 and 201 whereby the armature may be automatically moved to swing 'the selector arm |95 into the position corresponding to the height of the primer being gauged. The solenoid energizing means comprises a pair of micro-switches 243 and 244 adapted to be adjustably supported beneath the table 8S in cooperative relation with the contacts |51 and |68 respectively of the swinging gauge arm |66. To this end a substantially rectangular panel plate 245, see Fig. 8, is mounted on edge on the base plate il! beneath the table 85, the upper edge of the panel plate being fastened by suitable bolts to the underside of the table 50. A dovetail track or groove 245 is formed horizontally in one face of the panel 225 throughout the length thereof and is adapted to slidably support a pair of microswitch supporting carriages which comprise dovetail blocks 241.

As shown in Fig. 8, each block 241 is provided at its outer end intermediate its bevelled sides with a vertical slot 248 which is substantially T- shaped in cross section. To the outer face of each carriage block 241 is secured one of the micro-switches 223 and 244 respectively, the actuator buttons 243 and 244 respectively being directed toward adjacent sides of the gauging arm |55. Screwed or otherwise fastened to the outer face of each micro-switch is a substantially sector-shaped bearing plate 25) and 250 respectively, each plate having a lobe portion 25| and 25| provided with a drilled hole. Pivotally supported at the lobe of each bearing plate is a depending lever arm 252 and 252', the inner edge of each arm being adapted to be held in contact with the actuating button of its respective microswitch by a coil spring 253 and 254 respectively. The later are, as shown, connected at one end to the lower end of their respective lever arms 252 and 252' and at their opposite ends to a xed part of the frame. It will be noted that the pivot point of each lever arm is above its point of contact with the button of its respective microswitch so that the relatively large movement must be imparted to the lower end of each lever in order to actuate its respective micro-switch button.

Means for moving the micro-switch carriages or blocks 223 and 221! along the dove-tail track 255 for effecting adjustment of the levers 252 and 252 thereof with respect to the contacts |61 and 58 of the gauging arm |56 comprise rods 254 and 255, each of which is substantially identical, the rod 254 being however somewhat longer than the rod 255. The end of each rod is provided with a suitably shaped head to make a locking iit in the respective T-shaped slot in the adjacent end of its carriage block. Each rod is screw threaded throughout its length and extends at its opposite end through a smooth bored hole in the respective end plate 84 of the table 25, a knurled thumb nut 251 being xedly secured on the outer end thereof.

rihe shank portions of the rods adjacent their inner ends are adapted to be threadedly engaged in horizontally drilled and tapped holes of brackets 258 and 25e respectively which are bolted to the bed of the dove-tail groove 246 of the panel 225 at opposite ends thereof. Thus, by turning the thumb nuts in one direction, the microswitch carriage blocks will be drawn rearwardly in the dove-tail slot 245 while by turning the i7 thumb nuts in the opposite direction, the microswitches will be moved forwardly in the slot;

A suitable coil spring 260 is carried on the shank of the long rod abutting at one end of the inner face of the adjacent end plate Sli and at its opposite end a collar |62 secured on the rod so as to provide means for taking up any backlash in the movement of the carriage 241 and to facilitate its sliding movement towards the gauging arm |66.

In accordance with this construction, the arms 252 and 252' of the respective micro-switches may be nicely adjusted with respect to the contacts I 61 and I 68 of the pivoted gauging arm |66.

Electrical circuit A diagram of the electrical circuit for controlling the operation of the cartridge feeding gauging and selector discharging mechanisms described above is shown in Fig. 13. The main power lines are indicated at A and B across which the motor reduction gear unit M is connected. Connected in the line A is the micro-switch or gauging switch |58 which, as described above, is normally closed and adapted to be opened when its button |59 is engaged by the adjustable contact screw |51 of the oscillating cross head I I5.

One side of the micro-switch or holding switch |58' is also connected in the line A and is normally open but adapted to be closed when its button 59 is engaged by an adjustable contact screw similar to the screw |51 and located on the oscillating cross head I at the opposite side of the gauging table from the screw |51. The line A is shown terminating at G in two contact points which correspond to the contacts |61 and I 68 of the pivoted gauging arm I 66. The contact 252 corresponds to the switch actuating arm of the micro-switch 243 which, in the present embodiment, is responsive to a high primer as indicated by the letter H in the diagram while the Contact 252 corresponds to the micro-switch 244 which is responsive to a low primer as indicated at L.

As the gauging arm swings to the right or left in accordance with the height of a primer being gauged, its contact points |61 and |63 are moved into engagement respectively with the arm 252 of the switch 2Z3 or the arm 252 of the switch 2134. The circuit is completed through each micro-switch by conductors h and l respectively, which lead to the solenoids 206 and 201 respectively and back to the main line B. Moreover, each conductor h and l is provided with a lead h' and l respectively connected to contacts correspending to the holding contacts 232 and 233 on the selector arm frame. Either one of these holding circuits is completed by the single conductor c which is connected at one end to a terminal T on the pivoted selector arm |90 and at its opposite end to the other side of the holding switch |58.

The Aoperation of the cartridge hopper feeding device and the auxiliary feeding means for feeding lthe cartridges to the pivoted gauging finger has been described in detailV above and is believed to be clear. The gauging of a primer cap and the subsequent selection and disch-arge of the gauged cartridges is as follows:

Assuming a -cartridge having a high primer is positioned `over the pivoted gauging head |16 of the gauging arm |66 and that the `auxiliary feeding pusher pin H9 is about to advance 4and engage a cartridge on the gauging table Iso as to displace the high primer case from the table and move the next succeeding case to be gauged over the engaging finger; the gauging :arm |66 will have been swung from its normal spring biased position which, as described above, is such that its contact `|68 engages Athe arm 252 of the micro-switch 244', to its operative position, wherein its contact |61 engages and actuates the arm 252 lof the micro-switch 243. Since the micro-switch 558 is normally closed, the circuit through the lines A, conduct-or h, solenoid 206 and line B will have been completed and the armature pivoted on its carriage in a direction Such as to move the selector Iarm |90 c'ountercloclrwise as seen in Fig. 2, so `as to throw the disch-arge tube H beneath the cartridge deflecting lhood III of the gauging table.

In order to retain and hold the selector arm |90 in the high primer discharging position while the high primer case is being displaced from the gauging table by the advancement of the next succeeding case, the contact pin |51 of the oscillating cross head ||5 is so adjusted as to instantly engage the button |59 and actuate the micro-switch |50 as Itherpusher pin begins -to move forwardly thereby completing a circuit through the lead A, ythe holding switch |58 and conductor c to the terminal T of the selector arm |90 and from fthence through the holding contact 232, and lead h back through the solenoid 206 to the line B. The selector arm |90 is thus held over in its high primer position until the high .primer case has been n-ally pushed off of the gauging table and into the discharge tube H of the selector arm from which the gauged cartridge is discharged into the aperture or tube H of the table '80. The circuit through the microswitch |58 has in the meantime been opened by the adjustable contact pin |51 of the cross head I |5. Thereafter, when the auxiliary feed pusher pin I I9 is moved back to its original position, the micro-switch |58 is again opened freeing the selector arm |90 which is 'automatically vswung back to its neutral or central position by the force of the spring 22 I 0.

Simultaneously, the micro-switch |58 is closed and the circuit reestablished for gauging the primer of the next succeeding case. Should the primer -be low, then the gauging head |16 is not engaged by the primer and remains in its spring biased position wherein the switch 244 is closed and Ithe solenoid 201 energized whereby the select-or arm is swung Iclockwise so that its ldischarge tube L' receives and discharges the low primer Icase into the tube L in the top of ythe table 80.

If the primer is of normal height, the gauging nger |16 and arm |66 are displaced from their normal rposition'an amount such that the contacts |61 and |68 lof the Aarm |66 are moved to an intermediate position in which neither contact engages its respective micro-switch closing arm. Thus, the solenoids 206 and 201 remain deenergized and the selector arm is held in its central or neutral position by its spring 22 I 0, wherein its dis-charge tube N receives and discharges the case having a normal primer into the tube N in `the top of -the table 80.

It will ibe understood, of course, that the holes or discharge tubes H, L and N in the top of the table are adapted to direct the gauged cases into separate receptacles beneath the table.

A modification of the article selecting means is shown schematically in Fig. 14 and comprises a pair of substantially flat relatively stii rectangular plates 210 and 21| pivotally mounted at their lower ends on the top of the table 80 and on opposite sides respectively of the central aperture N therein. A suitable operating element such as i9 'a link-272 is pivotally -connected to the plates a-t points 213 and 2id thereon and is adapted normally te hold the plates 210 and 2TH in a substantially vertical position on the table.

Moreover the link 272 is constructed and arranged to be reciprocated substantially parallel to the table 8E! so as to swing the plates simultaneously through substantially the same vertical angle :as indicated by the dotted lines.

In Ithe present embodiment, the link 212 is reciprocated by means of solenoids 2?5 and Z'l which are suitably connected -to the opposite ends respectively Iof the link and are adap-ted to be energized in the manner descrilbed above. The link 2l2 -is shown provided with depending Velements 2li' and 218 which are adapted to be moved into engagement and from engagement with suitable holding contacts 219 and 285 respectively in the manner and for t-he purpose already described. Y

In operation, when a cartridge having a properly seated primer is discharged from the gauging table t3', the solenods remain deenergzed. The selector pla-tes 2@ and 2li remain in their normal position, as shown in Fig. 11, so that the cartridge being delivered from the table 63' is enabled to fall downwardly directly into the central aperture N of the table 8U. When, however, a primer is too high or too low, the proper solenoid is energized in the manner described above, thereby swinging the respective selector plate 27E or 2li into the path of the cartridge being discharged from the gauging platform. The plate which lies in the path of the cartridge will present a sloping surface which extends across the central aperture N and will deflect the cartridge striking the sloping surface into the respective aperture H or L of the table 80.

What is claimed is: Y

1. In an article gauging kmachine comprising a frame having article receiving means; article supporting means mounted on said frame; electrical gauge contacts; article gauging means constructed and arranged to move said gauge contacts when engaged by an article on said supporting means; means for feeding articles into engagement with said gauge; selector means electro-magnetically displaceable from a normal position in response to the movement of saidfgauge contacts to distribute the articles being gauged into the respective receiving means Vof said frame; means -to adjust the normal position of said selector with respect to said article receiving means comprising a pair of arms held in juxtaposition Vby pivots at corresponding ends of the arms and a tension spring adjoining said arms at the opposite ends thereof, said arms having oppositely disposed relief recesses in adjacent edges to form a slot between said arms; a finger projecting from said selector into said slot; an eccentrically mounted pin extending into said slot; and means for rotating said pin to displace said slot and hence said selector finger to effect an adjustment of said selector.

2. An automatic gauging-and assorting machine comprising a frame having varticle discharge ports; an article supporting gauge table: means for delivering articles onto said gauge table comprising a hopper having an agitator; a feed track connecting said hopper to said gauge table and a reciprocable feed block adjacent the mouth of said hopper for delivering articles successively from said hopper into said Vfeed track; article gauging means comprisinga gauge having a' lever arm pivotally supported on saidY gauge table 4and contacts on said lever arm; auxiliary feed means to move articles being fed onto said gauge table intermittently across said table into engagement with said gauge and to move the Ygauged articles olf said table; article selector means Ycomlmising a horizontally pivoted arm having apertures to receive gauged articles removed from said gauging table by said auxiliary feed means, said selector arm being actuable to deliver the gauged articles of specified measurements into the corresponding discharge ports f said frame; and electromechanical means actuated by the displacement of said contacts in response to pivotal movement of said lever -arm when said gauge is engaged by an article to actuate said selector arm, said Aelectromechanical means comprising a solenoid having an armature, micro-switches adaptedto be engaged by the displacement of said contacts to energize said solenoid and to displace said armature and a resilient arm connected at one end to` said armature and Vat its opposite end to said selector arm to pivot said selector arm in response to the displacement of said armature.

V3. YIn an automatic gauging and asserting machine the combination comprising a 'frame having article discharge ports; an article supporting gauge table; means for delivering Jarticles onto said gauge table comprising a hopper having an agitator; a feed track connecting said hopper to said gauge table and a reciprocable feed block adjacent the mouth of said hopper for delivering articles successively from said hopper to said feed track and onto said gauge table; article gauging means comprising a gauge having a lever arm pivotally supported on said gauge table and contacts on said lever arm; auxiliary feed means arranged to move Yarti-cles being fed onto said gauge table intermittently across said table into engagement with said gauge and to move the gauged articles oilc said table; means to actuate said auxiliary feed means, said actuating means being arranged to reciprocate said feed block; article selector means having apertures to receive gauged articles removed from said gauging table by said auxiliary feed means, said selector means being actuatable to deliver the gauged articles of specified measurements into the corresponding discharge ports of said frame; electromechanical means actuated by the displacement of said contacts in response to pivotal movement of said lever arm when said gauge is engaged by an article to actuate said selector means; and means controlled by said auxiliary feed means to hold said selector means in its actuated position opposite that article discharge port of said frame for articles having specified measurements corresponding to those of the gauged article being removed-from the table -by said auxiliary feed means.

4. An `automatic gauging and assorting machine comprising an .article supporting track; article gauging means comprising avlever arm having a noncoaxial gauging surface at its upper -end and contacts at its lower end; means adjacent the upper end of said arm to pivotally support said arm adjacent the end of said track whereby relatively infinitesimal movement of said gauging-surface is multiplied to impart a relatively large movement to the lowerend of said arm; article feeding means constructed and arranged to move articles intermittently along said track first into gauging position over said gauging surface and then off the end of said track; article selector means movably supported'adjacent the end of said track adapted to receive gauged articles being re- 21- inoved therefrom and to deliver said articles into separate receptacles corresponding to the specified measurements of said articles; electromechanical means responsive to movement of said lever arm when said gauging surface is engaged by an article to move said selector means, said electromechanical means comprising a microswitch, a lever carried by said micro-switch adapted to be engaged iby one of 4the contacts on the lower end of said lever arm to multiply the movement thereof so as to actuate said microswitch, and a solenoid having an armature connected to said selector means, said solenoid being energized by actuation of said micro-switch thereby effecting displacement of said armature and movement of said selector means; and means controlled by said article feeding means to retain the selector in a displaced position when placed in such a position by actuation of said microswitch until the article feeding means has operated to feed an article off the end of said track.

5. An automatic gauging and assorting machine comprising an article supporting track; article gauging means comprising a lever arm having a noncoaxial gauging surfa-ce at its upper end and contacts at its lower end; means adjacent the upper end of said arm to pivotally support said arm adjacent the end of said track whereby relatively infinitesimal movement of said gauging surface is multiplied to impart a relatively large movement to the lower end of said arm; article feeding means constructed and arranged to move articles intermittently along said track rst into gauging position over said gauging surface and then olf the end of said track; article selector means movably supported adjacent the end of said track adapted to receive gauged articles being removed therefrom and to deliver said articles into separate receptacles corresponding to the specified measurements of said articles; electromechanical means responsive to movement of said lever arm when said gauging surface is engaged by an article to move said selector means, said electromechanical means comprising a microswitch adapted to be engaged and actuated by one of the contacts on the lower end of said lever arm; a solenoid having an armature connected to said selector means, said solenoid being energized by actuation of said micro-switch thereby effecting displacement of said armature and movement of said selector means; and a micro-switch supported on said frame having a contact adapted to be engaged by said feed means to maintain said solenoid energized thereby to hold said selector means in its displaced position until the gauged article is removed from said track by said feed means.

6. An automatic gauging and assorting machine comprising an article supporting track having a gauging position and a discharge position; article feeding means constructed and arranged to move articles intermittently along said track into gauging position and then to said discharge position;

,article selector means movably supported adjacent the discharge position to receive and divert the discharged articles in accordance with the magnitude of the characteristic being gauged'; and electromechanical selector positioning means including a swingably mounted gauging arm having means engageable with the article to position the arm in accordance with the characteristic being gauged; a pair of normally open-circuited electrical contact devices oppositely positioned and adapted to be selectively closed in response to swinging of said gauge arm beyond a predetermined limit in either direction of movement; a pair of solenoids each connected through one of said pair of electrical contact devices and adapted to be energized in response to closing of its respective contact device; armature means operatively connected to said selector means constructed and arranged to be attracted by an energized solenoid, said armature being normally spring-urged to an intermediate position; a normally open holding circuit bypassing said electrical contact means, said holding circuit being completed through either solenoid by movement of the armature in response to energization of that solenoid; and switch means operatively interconnected with said feeding means to open said holding circuit after each discharge of an article from the discharge position of said track; whereby the article selector will be permitted to return to a normal position corresponding to the intermediate position of the armature means.

'7. In an automatic gauging and assorting machine having feed means to present an article to a gauging position and thereafter to feed said article to a discharge position; a gauging member engageable with the article when in gauging position and having an arm swingably positioned in accordance with a characteristic of said article; electrical switch devices at opposite predetermined positions of said arm each arranged to close a circuit from a source of power when contacted by said arm; an electromagnetic -device in circuit with each switch device; selector means operatively connected to said electromagnetic devices whereby said selector may be moved to a position corresponding to the position of the gauging arm, said selector means being arranged in its various positions to direct articles from the said discharge position to an appropriate receptacle; a holding circuit including switch means arranged to be closed by movement of the selector in response to energization of one of the electromagnetic devices bypassing said electrical switch devices and completing a circuit between said one-fof the electromagnetic devices and a source of power; and switch means operated by said feed means to interrupt said holding circuit after the article has been discharged.

8. An automatic machine for gauging and assorting ammunition in accordance with primer height comprising a gauging member having a gauging surface engageable with the cartridge primer; mounting means for said gauging member adapted to multiply movement of the gauging surface; a track adapted to support a cartridge in a predetermined position over said gauging surface; feed means to move cartridges intermittently along said track first to a position over said gauging surface and then off the end of said track; selector means movably supported adjacent the end of said track adapted to receive cartridges moved off the end of the track and to deliver same into receptacles corresponding to specified primer height; electromechanical selector positioning means responsive to movement of said gauging arm comprising solenoid means operatively connected to the selector and selectively energized in accordance with the position of said gauging member; selector holding means comprising electrical circuit elements completing a bypass circuit to the solenoid means in response to movement of the selector to maintain the selector in position until a cartridge has been discharged from the track; and switch means operisedby the feed means to break-said `bypass circuit Number and release the selector holding means Yafter the 1,341,463 cartridge rhas been discharged. 1,348,310 ROBERT M. FLANAGAN. 1,686,694 5 1,758,268 REFERENCES CITED 1,873,315 Y 1,894,025 The followmg references are of record 1n the 2,219,155

le V'of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 Number Name Date 231,359 Rhodes Aug. 17, 1880 695,075 Nichol Mar. 11, 1902 24 Name Date Hazard May 25, '1920 North Aug. 3, 1920 Hauser Oct. 9, 1928 Wagner May 13, 1930 Dreyer Aug. 23., V1932 Dennison Jan. 10, .1933 Wilcox Oct. 22, 1940 

